The energy inside the Moody Center was basically electric tonight. If you were looking for the score for the Texas Longhorn game, you likely caught the tail end of a massive statement win for the Burnt Orange. Texas took down No. 10 Vanderbilt with a final score of 80-64.
Texas won. Big.
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Coming off that gutsy victory against Alabama, the Longhorns had a lot to prove. Could they stay consistent? Honestly, most people were skeptical. Vanderbilt rolled into Austin with a perfect 16-0 record, looking like an unstoppable force in the SEC. But the Longhorns clearly had other plans for the Commodores' undefeated streak.
Breaking Down the Texas vs. Vanderbilt Score
The game started as a total track meet. Both teams were trading buckets like it was a playground game, and the first half ended with Texas holding a slim 42-37 lead. Matas Vokietaitis was a monster in the paint, racking up 12 points before the break.
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Vanderbilt kept it close early on because they couldn't miss from deep—8-of-15 from three in the first half is just silly. But then, the second half happened.
Vandy's shooting went ice cold. Like, Arctic cold. They shot a dismal 26.7% from the field in the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Tramon Mark decided it was his time to shine. He poured in 16 of his 21 points in the second half, hitting back-to-back threes that basically sucked the soul out of the Vanderbilt bench.
Key Player Stats from Tonight
- Matas Vokietaitis: 22 points, dominant in the interior.
- Tramon Mark: 21 points (16 in the second half).
- Dailyn Swain: 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists (nearly a triple-double!).
- Jordan Pope: 12 points, keeping the backcourt steady.
Texas out-rebounded Vanderbilt 42-24. That’s where the game was won. You can't give a team like Texas that many second chances and expect to leave with a 'W.'
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Why This Win Changes Everything
For a while there, this season felt kinda shaky. Losses to Tennessee and Mississippi State earlier in the month had fans wondering if the Longhorns were actually SEC-ready. But beating two Top 15 teams in the span of four days? That changes the entire conversation.
Texas is now 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. They aren't just surviving; they’re starting to look like a team that nobody wants to see in March. The defense, which was a major concern earlier in the winter, finally looked cohesive. They forced Vanderbilt into eight second-half turnovers and limited them to just 27 points in the final frame.
What’s Next for the Longhorns?
Don't get too comfortable, though. The schedule doesn't get any easier. The Longhorns are staying home to host a massive rivalry game against Texas A&M this Saturday.
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The Aggies are coming off a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Tennessee, so they’ll be hungry. If Texas plays with the same intensity they showed tonight—specifically that 19-5 scoring run they used to close out Vandy—they’re going to be tough to beat at home.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Watch the Interior: If Vokietaitis continues to play like an All-SEC center, the Longhorns' ceiling just moved up a floor.
- Back the Defense: Keep an eye on the defensive rotations. The way they shut down the perimeter in the second half tonight was a masterclass.
- Ticket Alert: If you’re planning on heading to the Moody Center for the A&M game, buy your tickets now. After tonight's performance, that place is going to be packed.
Texas just proved they can run with the best of the SEC. Now they just have to prove they can do it every single night.